Mail-chute.



A. K. SMITH.

MAIL CHUTE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2, 1910.

1,138,696. Patented May11,1915.

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SATES PATENT OFFIQE.

ARTHUR K. SMITH, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CUTLER MAIL GI-IUTE COMPANY, OF LROGI-IlElS'llJR, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Application filed November 2, 1910. Serial No. 590,405.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR K. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in MaiLGhutes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of my improved form of mail chute; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, showing the means for uniting two sections of the chute; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the chute; Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section showing the detailed construction of the chute. Fig. 5 shows a slight modification of the chute-holding device.

This invention relates to an improvement in mail chutes of ordinary construction, which consists of a series of superimposed sections properly united to extend from the upper to the lower floor of a building, where it is usually connected to a mail box. In a mail chute as ordinarily constructed, it is usually provided with means for gaining access to the interior of the chute, and such means must be provided with a locking device under control of the post office or other proper authority.

The object of my invention is to provide a very simple and efiicient'form of locking device to be used in connection with each chute section, which may be detached from its support in an easy and simple manner without interfering with the other sections of the chute.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 are angle irons attached to the wall of the building, forming a support for the mail chute. The form of support is not material to the present invention, however, and may be changed in any desired manner.

3, 1 and 5 are superposed mail chute sections of substantially the same construction and form. As illustrated, these chute sec} tions are comprised of back andside walls 5 and 6, which latter are provided with means for supporting a glass panel or front plate 7. At the top of each section is attached a support band 8, in any suitable manner,

which extends around to the back of the chute and is provided with projecting pins 9 on either back edge to fit in a support bar. The number of these pins may be changed as desired. In Fig. 5 a modification is shown, in which the pin members 9 are provided on the support bar 14:, and openings cut in the sides 6 for reception thereof. The support band is provided with a beveled faced projecting portion 10 in front, and a similar face 11 at either side. Above and below the beveled face projections are formed seats 12 and 13 for the attached chute section.

Attached to the supporting angle irons l and 2 is a support bar 14 for each section grooved for reception of the ends of the support band 8, as shown in Fig. 3, and provided with projecting portions 15 extending exteriorly of the sides 6 of the chute, with downwardly projecting lips 15 and openings for pins 9.

16 is a locking bar, which is provided with slots 17 engaging studs 18 attached to the back wall of each chute section. This locking bar projects beyond either side of the chute section, and is provided at one side with a notch 19 and also an upturned bracket 20. The bracket 20 is positioned to nor mally remain in substantial contact with a bracket 21 fastened to the outside of angle iron 2. Both brackets 20 and 21 are perforated for the reception of a padlock 22. The locking bar, when in the position shown in Fig. 2, is arranged with a portion adjacent each lip 15 of the support bar 14. If however, the padlock 22 be removed, the locking bar 16, by means of the slots 17, may be moved to the right in Fig. 2, so that the notch 19 registers with the projection 15 on the right side of the chute, and theleft projection 15 will then extend outside of the end of the locking bar. This construction allows of the chute section, which is unlocked, being moved laterally away from its support, withdrawing the pins 9 from the holes in the bar support 1 1 with which they are normally engaged. The adjacent chute section is locked and held in position by means of a similar locking device at its opposite end, so that the removal of one section will not interfere with the superposed section. Similar locking devices are to be applied to the ends of each section, and if necback of each chute section and means for supporting the adjacent chute section inde pendently of that which is unlocked.

I am aware that minor changes in the construction, arrangement and combination of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A mail chute, comprising superposed sections, a support bar having projecting portions at either side, a locking bar mounted slidably on an adjacent section, said bar being notched at one edge and slotted between its edges, pins extending from the chute section Within the slots of the bar, and means for locln'ng said bar in engagement with the projecting lips of the support bar. 2. A mail chute comprising a support and superposed sections attached thereto, stationary projecting lips secured to the support at the sides, and locking devices slidably arranged at the rear of the sections and ARTHUR K. SMITH.

Witnesses:

M. I. SMITH, ALMA GEBI-IART.

Copies of this patent may be. obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

